Where's our sense of humour? Cutouts were just a visual form of public feedback. A peaceful and innovative form of expression by ordinary citizens is under police investigation. The police are over-reacting. Why?
TODAY: WHY THE WHITE ELEPHANT RUMPUS?
WE ARE buzzing and vibrant as a new era dawns and a generational change takes place in Singapore.
We aim to be in the top league of world cities and the peoples' aspirations, hopes and frustrations receive more attention as a confident, "softer" side of Singapore is evolving.
Yet, a peaceful and innovative form of expression by ordinary residents - the infamous "white elephants" at Buangkok -is the subject of police investigation, after a report lodged by a law-abiding citizen who hates those who do not abide by the laws.
Are there so few avenues of venting our pent-up frustrations over official roadblocks, such as the ones the Buangkok MRT project faced?
The residents have seen their MP, done their research and compiled their figures to the relevant bodies to bolster their case for opening the station - all in vain. Then, a surprising, light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek display of cardboard white elephants to make a point to Minister Vivian Balakrishnan - who visited the ward that Sunday - affronted some people enough for them to lodge a police report!
Did the cardboard figures obstruct the view from their homes or hinder traffic, or did the dazzling whiteness cause so much eye-glare that their children could not concentrate on their studies?
Should we go around filing police reports over every single out-of-place potted plant, upside-down national flag or even cardboard cows springing up all over Singapore?
I am sure we do not want the world to know that we do not have a sense of humour, or that our laws forbid us any form at all of peaceful expression.
JUST EIGHT white elephant cut-outs have created such a ruckus. Are the authorities just overreacting?
To me, these eight white elephants served merely as a visual form of feedback to the Government with the Buangkok station, scheduled originally to open two years ago, still not opened.
We have been encouraging Singaporeans to give their ideas and feedback. So the Government should be appreciative of the complaints they receive from the public about certain issues, as these help make Singapore a better place to live.
Sources and Relevant Links:
Sg_Review TODAY: WHY THE WHITE ELEPHANT RUMPUS? 5 SEP 2005
Sg_Review Police to confiscate camera and tapes relating to 'S'pore Rebel'25 August 2005
Yahoo News Singapore filmmaker surrenders tapes, camera to police 30 August2005 - If convicted, See could be jailed for up to two years or fined up to 100,000 Singapore dollars
Sg_Review Riot police break up demonstration of four people
TODAY TURNING POINT FOR S'PORE CIVIL SOCIETY OR A ONE-OFF? 3 AUG 2005
The Star Emotions remain high over NKF scandal 24 July 2005
Sg_Review Singapore police investigates charity scandal August 18 2005
